However, in the face of the NAB's protests, XM and Sirius aren't the only entities in favor of the merger. The Parents Television Council, a group of lobbyists, feel that the merger would not only benefit consumers with more affordable subscription options, but contends that the proposed a la carte programming can be used to block adult programming, a very favorable option for parents.

The merger still has a few hurdles on the track. The Department of Justice has yet to rule that the merger does not break anti-monopoly laws, and this appears to be the backbone of the NAB's case against the providers. The NAB argues that a merger would, contrary to XM and Sirius's plans, eventually drive the cost of programming upward as well as provide fewer program options and less local programming to subscribers.

The second major obstacle lies in FCC approval of the merger. The companies recently convinced former FCC chairman Mark Fowler of their need and he stated in a New York Times article that if the companies “need to combine to be more effective competitors in an audio entertainment marketplace teeming with technological change and innovation, the government should not stand in the way.” What remains for the satcasters is convincing the current FCC chairman, Kevin Martin.

In recent interviews, both companies' leaders came across as optimistic of the merger. Mel Karmazin, CEO of Sirius Satellite Radio felt confident that the FCC and DOJ approvals would come, as well as shareholder approval. Gary Parsons, chairman of XM Satellite Radio conveyed that though he feels the merger will be approved, XM does not need the merger – it will be beneficial to the provider, but not necessary in the face of their climbing subscriber growth.

The satcasters' line of reasoning lies in that the merger will allow customers more choice at a better cost, while allowing the companies to be more profitable and move forward with technology and more strongly into other existing markets such as streaming mobile and internet radio. They will need this profit margin and technology to compete with other popular forms of audio entertainment, such as iPods and other portable media devices, as well as terrestrial radio.

The coming months could prove interesting for XM and Sirius as the providers lobby for DOJ and FCC approval with support from various organizations, while the heavyweight NAB collects the opposing view of others to further its case.

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